Elavil Medication - Uses & Side Effects

Elavil (amitriptyline) belongs to a class of similar drugs called tricyclic antidepressants. Elavil is prescribed to treat depression, bulimia (an eating disorder characterized by binging and purging), chronic pain from a variety of conditions including fibromyalgia, reduce the incidence of chronic headache or migraine, ulcers, uncontrollable hiccups, primary (childhood onset) insomnia, and to control the involuntary crying and laughing experienced by individuals with multiple sclerosis.

Elavil is prescribed for the relief of symptoms of mental depression. It is a member of the group of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants. Some doctors also prescribe Elavil to treat bulimia (an eating disorder), to control chronic pain, to prevent migraine headaches, and to treat a pathological weeping and laughing syndrome associated with multiple sclerosis. This medicine contains amitriptyline hydrochloride, an antidepressant. Elavil is only available in the USA

Elavil Dosage

• The usual starting dosage is 75 milligrams per day divided into 2 or more smaller doses. Your doctor may gradually increase this dose to 150 milligrams per day. The total daily dose is generally never higher than 200 milligrams.
• The usual dose for adolescents 12 years of age and over is 10 milligrams, 3 times a day, with 20 milligrams taken at bedtime.

Uses of Elavil

• Elavil is used to relieve symptoms of depression such as feelings of sadness, worthlessness, or guilt; loss of interest in daily activities; changes in appetite; tiredness; sleeping too much; insomnia; and thoughts of death or suicide.
• Elavil is also sometimes used to treat certain types of pain.
• Elavil may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
• Elavil is used for patients with depression

Side Effects of Elavil

Older adults are especially liable to certain side effects of Elavil, including rapid heartbeat, constipation, dry mouth, blurred vision, sedation, and confusion, and are in greater danger of sustaining a fall. Side effects may include:

• Blurred vision
• bone marrow depression
• bowel problems, breast enlargement (in males and females)
• constipation
• dry mouth
• hair loss heart attack
• high body temperature
• problems urinating
• rash
• seizure
• stroke
• swelling of the testicles
• water retention

Warnings and precautions before taking Elavil:

• Do not stop taking Elavil abruptly, especially if you have been taking large doses for a long time. Your doctor probably will want to decrease your dosage gradually. This will help prevent a possible relapse and will reduce the possibility of withdrawal symptoms.
• Elavil may cause you to become drowsy or less alert; therefore, you should not drive or operate dangerous machinery or participate in any hazardous activity that requires full mental alertness until you know how Elavil affects you.
• Elavil may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Try to stay out of the sun, wear protective clothing, and apply a sun block.

Drug Interaction :- If Elavil is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important that you consult with your doctor before taking Elavil in combination with the following:

• Airway-opening drugs such as Sudafed and Proventil
  
• Antidepressants that raise serotonin levels, such as Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft
  
• Other antidepressants, such as amoxapine
  
• Antihistamines such as Benadryl and Tavist
  
• Barbiturates such as phenobarbital
  
• Certain blood pressure medicines such as Catapres
  
• Cimetidine (Tagamet)
  
• Disulfiram (Antabuse)
  
• Drugs that control spasms, such as Bentyl and Donnatal
  
• Estrogen drugs such as Premarin and oral contraceptives
  
• Ethchlorvynol (Placidyl)
  
• Major tranquilizers such as Mellaril and Thorazine
  
• MAO inhibitors, such as Nardil and Parnate
  
• Medications for irregular heartbeat, such as Tambocor and Rythmol
  
• Painkillers such as Demerol and Percocet
  
• Parkinsonism drugs such as Cogentin and Larodopa

Overdose

An overdose of Elavil can prove fatal. If you suspect an overdose, seek medical attention immediately. Symptoms of Elavil overdose may include:

• Abnormally low blood pressure, confusion, convulsions, dilated pupils and other eye problems, disturbed concentration, drowsiness, hallucinations, impaired heart function, rapid or irregular heartbeat, reduced body temperature, stupor, unresponsiveness or coma